It was an hour to midnight when the next attack came. By the moon’s light, Ava saw the waves rise upwards, converging and forming into semi-humanoid shapes complete with arms and the vague suggestion of a head. These unnatural water-creatures rushed across the roiling sea towards the Athenians.

“What in Zeus’ name are those things?!” asked Narsus in horror as he formed up beside Ava.

The huge water-creatures flowed up from the sea and onto the land, the bottom of their watery bodies lapping at the feet of the Athenians. The warriors of Athens stabbed desperately at their new foes, but it was like fighting the sea itself, like trying to hack apart the waves. Nothing they did could harm the water-creatures. The monsters retaliated, snatching up Athenians in their huge watery fists and hurling them away into the crashing waves.

“Fall back!” Valeseus shouted, “we cannot fight them! Fall back!”

The Athenians turned and fled, the water-creatures managing to grab a few stragglers and cast them into the sea. Ava glanced over her shoulder as she ran; the water-creatures were not coming after them, but the hydra had returned. The monsters climbed up onto the land and came slowly stomping after the fleeing Athenians.

Upon reaching a large open square, Valeseus ordered a halt.

“Reform!” he shouted, “we form a new perimeter here.”

The warriors of Athens formed up into a wall of shields and spears, watching and listening for the approach of the hydra.

“Captains, follow me,” called Valeseus, walking towards a nearby house.

Ava hurried after him, soon joined by the captain of the other battalion.

*   *   *

Ava stood at a table alongside Valeseus and several of the other battalion commanders. They had gathered in one of the rooms of Valeseus' large house, which had been chosen as a temporary frontline command post. A map of the city was laid out on the table, marked with each battalion’s position. Ava turned to see a servant walk up and offer her a goblet of wine. She took it and thanked him warmly. The cool drink was soothing after the intense fighting she’d been through. Her thirst quenched, she focused on the discussion between the other commanders.

“We’ve evacuated every house between the sea and our current perimeter,” Valeseus was saying, “and we’re urging the rest of the citizens near the front lines to leave their homes and take refuge in the temples at the north end of the city.”

“That’s all very well,” grunted a heavyset man, his grey hair and wrinkled face showing his age, “but what are  we facing, exactly? What are these creatures?”

“I don’t know,” Valeseus replied grimly, “we are up against supernatural monsters, that is certain, but I don’t know what could have aroused their anger against us.”

“And those… things,” growled a smaller and younger man who was already on his second cup of wine, “those water beings. They’re not natural, I tell you.”

Valeseus nodded, looking down at the map on the table.

“Do we have any idea what they’ll do next?” asked the older commander.

Valeseus looked up and shrugged. “No idea, but we have battalions posted all around the city. Wherever they choose to attack next, we’ll be ready for them.”

The older man scowled uneasily down at the map.

“Why would they attack us? Why now?” he muttered.

“You seek answers that only the Oracle of Delphi can provide,” replied Valeseus flatly, “and we have no time to consult her. The reason for these monsters’ attack is unimportant as long as we can hold them off.”

“May I interrupt?” asked a middle-aged woman who stood across the table from Ava.

“Go ahead, Tora,” Valeseus said with a nod.

“Who is this?” Tora asked, gesturing to Ava, “I’ve never seen her before.”

“Neither have I,” added the old heavyset man, glancing at Ava.

“Her name is Ava,” replied Valeseus, “I appointed her as captain of her battalion following Aaron’s death.”

“Not the miracle recruit!” sneered Tora, giving Ava a sidelong glance, “this is hardly the time to give an inexperienced soldier a chance to prove her worth as a commander.”

“She may be inexperienced, but she’s a fine soldier,” said Valeseus firmly, “and if there was ever a time we needed young warriors to step up and prove their worth, it’s now.”

“We shall see...” said Tora skeptically.

Suddenly a messenger rushed into the room, out of breath.

“Yes?” asked Valeseus quickly.

“I bring a message from Captain Nalynis and her battalion stationed at the main gate,” the messenger said hurriedly, “more enemies have arrived and she requests reinforcements.”

“How many more soldiers does she need?” Valeseus asked.

“I don't know,” replied the messenger in obvious distress, “that was as far as she got before... before a cyclops killed her.”

Silence descended over the room as the commanders looked grimly at one another. Valeseus picked his plumed helmet off the table and headed to the door.

“I will admit, this day is the most interesting day in my whole career,” he said wryly. “Tora, Ava; our three battalions will go to aid the soldiers at the main gate. We have not a moment to lose.”